Cost of Tsagaan Sar

By B.KHASH-ERDENE

Tsagaan Sar is arguably the most expensive event for Mongolian families. Households prepare extravagant gifts, dishes, and clothing (often at a cost they are not able to afford) in the hopes that the new lunar year will bring them abundance and wealth.
Many families go to great lengths to impress visitors and drain their finances, or even fall into debt during Tsagaan Sar.
It is important to note that not all families prepare for Tsagaan Sar in the same fashion. Younger families prepare relatively little, as they will have fewer or no guests on the occasion. But older families, who have adult children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren, have to prepare an enormous amount of food and gifts as the number of guests might surpass 100, during the festivities.
Most Mongolians, and their siblings, feel obliged to help their parents prepare for Tsagaan Sar by purchasing crucial items such as lamb rump, ul boov, gifts for guests and so forth, for their parents.
To add to all the costs, the prices of commodities and Tsagaan Sar related products increase by approximately 10-15 percent during the holidays, according to the National Statistical Office.
There are several essential items and costs for a full rounded Tsagaan Sar celebration. These include:
1. Ul boov – 55,000 MNT for 15 pieces (three to five layers)
2. Lamb rump – 150,000 – 250,000 MNT
3. Greeting gift – 60,000 – 100,000
4. Gifts for visitors – 400,000 – 650,000 MNT
5. New deel – 250,000 – 750,000 (for one piece, minimum of two is required for a family)
6. Feast table, dairy products and beverages – 150,000 – 230,000
7. Buuz – 150,000 – 190,000 MNT
If a family were to purchase all of these items, they would be looking at spending a minimum of 1,465,000 MNT for these items, not including transportation costs for visiting families and time spent on preparation for a full rounded Tsagaan Sar in the year 2015.

Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=13488

Posted by The UB Post
on Feb 24 2015. Filed under Community.
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